Event Brief
UPDATED Oct 20, 2026 at 2:20 PM ET
Oct 20, 2026 at 7:20 AM ET
18 And Counting: Florida Prepares To Execute Vietnam Veteran For 1986 Deputy Slaying
By The BriefBrief
Florida scheduled William Reaves, 77, to be executed by lethal injection Tuesday evening at Florida State Prison near Starke. He was sentenced to death for the 1986 shooting death of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski; defense lawyers filed late petitions asking courts and Gov. Ron DeSantis to intervene.
WHO: Florida prison officials scheduled William Reaves' execution. Reaves was convicted of killing Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski.
WHAT: Florida scheduled Reaves' execution by lethal injection, the state's 18th execution of 2026.
WHEN: Reported Oct 20, 2026 at 12:58 PM ET
WHERE: Florida State Prison near Starke
WHY: Reaves was sentenced to death after a 1992 jury convicted him of first-degree murder in Raczkowski's 1986 shooting death.
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